Food safety under pressure as recalls and serious incidents rise

The FSAI’s latest report paints a complex picture – a sharp rise in food safety incidents and recalls in 2024, but fewer official samples taken. Serious public health threats included Salmonella in duck eggs, norovirus in oysters, and multiple E. coli outbreaks. Meanwhile, enforcement activity surged with a near-record 133 enforcement orders issued to Irish food businesses.

Failures in hygiene, pest control and staff training continue to drive compliance breaches. Despite a 12% increase in inspections, the drop in sampling raises questions about oversight capacity – especially as consumer complaints rise year-on-year.

Read the full report for insights into the growing risks facing Ireland’s food industry.